Marquez: I’m ready to fight

Here’s the latest in the ongoing Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez IV saga. “I’m a fighter, not a negotiator,” said two-time world champion Rafael Marquez. “I read all this talk about money and promoters and networks, but none of that concerns me. I’m ready to fight, and my promoter Gary Shaw is ready to begin negotiations with Israel’s people. Gary has been my promoter for a long time, and he has full authority from me to make an offer to the Vazquez people. Bottom line, and Israel knows this as well, we can make more money fighting each other than anyone else. I called Top Rank last month to see about fighting Juanma Lopez, and they said his schedule is filled for 2010. Enough talk. I’m ready to fight, and Gary is ready to make a deal. Israel needs to know the truth, which is that he and I are made for each other. We’re going down in history together.”